JVC Powerful Sound HAS31MB

Twenty-five bucks for bass this good is almost suspicious. Just don't expect all-day comfort.

What surprised us most is the bass. Multiple owners, including one who claims to be an audio engineer, say the low end is genuinely impressive for a 30mm driver at this price. Sound quality lands at the 54th percentile overall, which sounds average until you remember this thing costs less than a pizza delivery. The 30mm drivers deliver clear mids and a punchy low end that makes music fun. But the comfort score is rough, sitting at the 15th percentile. That's one of the worst we've seen, and it's the biggest gap between what the spec sheet promises and what the data shows. Soft ear pads sound nice in marketing copy, but the numbers tell a different story for longer sessions.

The JBL Tune 670NC and Sony WH-CH720N both offer wireless and ANC, but they cost significantly more. If you want noise cancelling and Bluetooth, those are the better picks. The Soundcore Life Q20 also brings ANC to the table with a bigger over-ear fit. But none of them touch the HAS31MB on price. This JVC is for people who just want decent wired sound without spending real money. The Truefree HF-10 is the closest budget alternative, but it's a different form factor entirely.

At $25 USD, this is a no-brainer if you need a cheap pair of wired headphones that sound good. The value score of 42/100 in our database feels harsh given the user sentiment, but it reflects the lack of features more than the experience. You're not getting ANC, wireless, or premium materials. You're getting surprisingly good sound and a remote that works. For the price, that's a win.

The JVC HAS31MB is a $25 pair of wired on-ear headphones that punches way above its price tag. The one thing to know: buyers love these things, with a 4.4-star rating across 3,226 reviews and an 85/100 sentiment score. That's not normal for budget audio gear. JVC kept it simple here, 30mm drivers, a one-button remote, a foldable frame, and no wireless nonsense to drive up the cost. The result is a pair of headphones that sounds better than it has any right to and fits into a bag without a second thought.

If you want wireless, noise cancelling, or all-day comfort, this isn't it. Go grab the JBL Tune 670NC or Soundcore Life Q20 instead. And if you're planning to wear headphones for hours at a desk, the comfort score here should scare you off.

Buy these if you want cheap, good-sounding wired headphones and you don't care about wireless or ANC. The comfort concerns are real, so if you wear headphones for hours at a stretch, look elsewhere. But for a backup pair, a kid's first headphones, or a travel beater, the HAS31MB is an easy recommendation.